Pembroke Press

Both Monday, August 31st and Tuesday, September 1st are HALF DAYS! Dismissal at 11:50am!!

Hello Pembroke Families!

The countdown is almost over—Monday we officially launch a new school year at Pembroke! We can’t wait to welcome our students back and fill our halls with learning, laughter, and PRIDE.

Thank you to our amazing staff for all the preparation, energy, and heart you’ve poured into getting ready for our students. To our families, thank you for partnering with us as we begin another exciting year together.

This eNews is full of lots of important information to ensure that families feel prepared to start next week. We know it is a lengthy newsletter, but appreciate you reading closely. Starting today our eNews will be sent out on Friday evenings. In a couple of weeks we will transition to the new eNews format, which you may have seen in district communications.

Here’s to a year of growth, connection, curiosity, and possibility! Let’s make it an incredible year, Pembroke!

Mrs. Hoyne

• Michael Burkett - Band and Orchestra
• Amy Darby - Art
• Ernest Fackler - Art
• Sam Hutzley - Art

• Lindsay Stone - Academic Interventionist

• Sarah Peterson - LRC Teacher

• Jason Juif - Building Sub

• Ashleigh Plonka - GSRP associate teacher

Student Teachers & Interns:

• Shay Manchester - 4th Grade Student with Mrs. Sawmiller

• Tecora Harvey - LRC with Mrs. Kleinstiver

Half Days & Bus Schedules!

Monday, August 31st & Tuesday, September 1st are BOTH 1/2 days!! Dismissal at 11:50am!

Parents/Guardians of JK, K, and 1st Grade students must meet the bus at their stops after the early dismissals.

NOTE - JK & Kindergarten students will have 1/2 days on Wednesday & Thursday as well. There will be NO PM Bus service on those 1/2 days for Kindergarten students. There WILL be Bus service for 1-5th graders that stay the entire school day at dismiss at 3:50pm.

Arrival and Dismissal procedures will be the same as during last school year. Please click HERE for detailed information on arrival and dismissal.

• Arrival between 8:35-8:40 am
• Pick-Up between 3:45-3:50 pm

Kindergarten & 1st Grade: Pick up and drop off will be on the blacktop behind the building

2nd Grade: Witherbee Loop

3rd Grade: Line up by the side door near staff parking lot

4th & 5th Grade: Line up near the front Main entrance

As a reminder parents are not permitted to enter the building with their children through their drop off doors, this includes the first day of school. We kindly ask that for the safety of all our students if you need to visit the building you enter through the main entrance and check in at the office.

Updated Information: ALL Transportation Requests need to be made directly through PowerSchool

1. Sign Up within PowerSchool - All Students (See details how to below)

2. Look for a direct email from no-reply@stopfinder.com to view your child's transportation (coming out 8/19-8/28)

3. Download the Stopfinder App

Should you have any questions, please reach out to Brad Johnson (Transportation Manager) at BJohnson2@birmingham.k12.mi.us

Returning Families: BPS is making it easier than ever to request bus transportation for your student for the next school year. We have replaced the previous Google Form with a new streamlined request form that takes just a few moments to complete. All families requesting transportation for next school year must complete this form in order to receive bus service. A short video is available to walk you through how to access the form and submit your request: Watch the How-To Video

New Families:

As part of the enrollment process, you were prompted to select whether or not you were requesting bus transportation service.

As we prepare to welcome our students back for another great school year, we want to share a few updates to our elementary Unified Arts (UA) schedule.

This year, we are excited to expand our VW E-Labs and Spanish programming to reach more of our students. To accommodate these expanded offerings while maintaining our well-rounded curriculum, we have adjusted how specialized classes are scheduled across grade levels. We will continue to use our familiar ABCD rotation.

Here is how the Unified Arts schedule will look this year:

• Grades JK–K: Physical Education, Music, Art, and Media

• 1st Grade: Physical Education, Music, Art, Media, and VW E-Labs

• Grades 2–5: Physical Education, Music, Art, Spanish, and VW E-Labs

School supplies are out in stores and for those students that like to pick out their own supplies here is a link to the suggested school supply lists by grades.

Dear Families,

We are looking forward to welcoming students onto campus in the coming weeks for the start of the school year. Under recent updates to Michigan’s Revised School Code (MCL 380.1303a), public school districts statewide are now legally required to restrict student access to personal cell phones and wireless communication devices during school hours. To ensure our district is in full compliance with these state mandates, we wanted to take a moment to make sure our students and families are aware of updates to our wireless communication device policy (Policy 2006). While our elementary families are used to students not having access to cell phones and personal laptops or iPads, this legislation includes additional personal wireless devices our students have brought to school in previous years.

Personal electronic devices include, but are not limited to, cellular phones, smart watches capable of texting, calling, internet access, recording, or receiving notifications, earbuds, AirPods, Bluetooth headphones, smart glasses, AI glasses, wearable technology, and any other device capable of communication, recording, or accessing digital content. Earbuds, AirPods, Bluetooth headphones, and similar listening devices may not be worn in either ear during the instructional day unless expressly authorized by a staff member.*

Personal Electronic Device Expectations

Personal electronic devices must remain out of sight and may not be accessed or used from the first bell until dismissal unless specifically authorized by a staff member for an approved educational or emergency purpose. Devices should be stored in a backpack, locker, or other designated storage area.

Our goal is to provide information in the easiest, most accessible, and most digestible way possible. The new format will organize information more clearly, making it easier to quickly find what you need when you need it. Instead of having to search through previous newsletters for important information, families will be able to access key resources and updates through consistent links and dedicated information hubs that are always available.

This is the first step in a broader effort to modernize how we communicate with our community. The district newsletter will transition first, with school newsletters gradually moving to a similar format over time.

We're also excited to share that a new Birmingham Public Schools mobile app is expected to launch early this fall. The app will provide another convenient way to access district and school information, giving families another simple and efficient way to stay connected.

If your child will be absent for any reason, please call the school before 9:00 a.m. at 248 203-3888, then press #2 for absence reporting and leave the following information:

• child’s name

• grade & teacher’s name

• brief reason for absence

The office records absences from the call-in messages and checks them against the teacher attendance lists. If a child is not in school and the parent has not called, the school will need to call your home or place of work. Please be sure to call, otherwise, the school office must follow-up on absences not reported.

Tardiness

All students arriving at school after 8:49 a.m. are to report to the school office before going to their classroom. They must take a green tardy pass to their class. It is very important that students maintain good attendance and arrive at school on time. Excessive absenteeism and tardiness are detrimental to a student’s ability to achieve his/her very best.

If your child needs medication during the school day or has allergies, please see the link below to forms. Forms are also available in the main office.

https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/programs-services/health-wellness

We Love Celebrating Birthdays at Pembroke, but please note several years ago, Pembroke transitioned to FOOD-LESS birthday celebrations within all classrooms across the building. This policy is focused not only on the health and wellness of our children, but also on the value of instructional time. Food-less birthday treats decrease the frequency of sugary treats served during the school day, decrease the opportunities for allergic reactions that can be life-threatening to many of our children and decrease the amount of time spent out of the classroom delivering treats to past teachers, office staff, etc.

Each classroom will still celebrate your child on his/her birthday. Each teacher, &/or Grade Level Team, will provide a “Birthday Celebration Menu” with celebration options. You and your child will select how she/he wishes to celebrate their birthday, and communicate your selection with the teacher a few days prior to the celebration so that they can plan accordingly.

Birmingham Public Schools' School Age Child Care (SACC) program is ready for another great year of before- and after-school care for students in Junior Kindergarten through fifth grade. Formerly known as Kids Club, the program provides a safe, engaging environment where students can learn, play, and grow before and after the school day.

Registration opens online on Saturday, August 1, at 8 a.m. Families may begin submitting registrations at that time. Please note that registrations will not be reviewed or accepted until Monday, August 3, when the SACC office reopens.

The program operates from 7:00 a.m. until the first school bell each morning and from dismissal until 6:00 p.m. each afternoon. Program highlights include:

• Discounted rates for families enrolling for a full week

• Pre-approved drop-in care where space is available

• Highly qualified staff with ongoing training

• Programs that meet or exceed all state licensing requirements

• Daily activities including gym time, outdoor play, games, arts and crafts, and other creative opportunities

Click here to learn more and register for the 2026-2027 BPS School Age Child Care program.

We encourage families who may qualify for income-based free or reduced-price meals to complete the Child Nutrition and Education Benefits Application through the Meal Magic Family Portal.

The application is available through the Birmingham Public Schools website under Food Services (Here).

Completing an application is important because it:

• Helps secure important state and federal funding for our schools
• Supports educational programs and services
• Ensures eligible students continue to receive available meal benefits
• May provide access to additional benefits and reduced-cost programs

Families who believe they may qualify are encouraged to complete an application even if they are unsure whether they are eligible.

For assistance with the application or meal program, please contact the Food Service Department at pguck@Birmingham.k12.mi.us.

Chalk the Walk

Sunday, Aug 30 I 3-5PM

Pembroke Entrance

Welcome Back Coffee

Monday, Aug 31 I 8:45AM

Pembroke Media Center

Enter through the Front Door

Join the PTA for coffee on the first day of school! Please enter through the Main Entrance - coffee will take place in the Media Center.

Membership is open for 2026-2027!

JOIN THE PTA

• No volunteering or time commitment required

• Supports class parties, grants, author visits, staff appreciation and more

• Join by Oct 1 to be entered in our special raffle

WANT TO GET MORE INVOLVED:

There are plenty of ways to help throughout the year—whether you have a little time or want to take on a leadership role.

• Committee Sign-Up- Help with the PTA events and programs throughout the year

• Room Parent- Support your child’s classroom and help keep families connected. Join us for a Room Parent Information Session during the Sept 16th PTA meeting ** Sign up information to follow.

Your donations filled the staff lounge with snacks and treats to welcome our teachers and staff back for another great year!

AUG 30 I CHALK THE WALK

3-5PM I Bring you own chalk and help decorate Pembroke for the first day of school!

AUG 31 I Welcome Back Coffee

8:45AM I Right after drop off I Enjoy coffee and a chance to meet other Pembroke parents

SEPT 16 First PTA Meeting

7PM I Media Center I Come hear what’s happening this year and how to get involved!

SEPT 18 New Family Welcome

5:30-6PM I Right before the Welcome Back Picnic

New to Pembroke? Come meet other new families, PTA members, and Staff

Get Your Pembroke Spirit Wear Here

Last chance to save on our biggest discounts of the year! Buy Pembroke Hoodies for $32.99, Tees for $19.99, and Crewnecks for $30.99! Shop now before the flash sale ends! Remember, our Back-to-School Sale ends in two weeks!

Hello! My name is Tracey Savcic and I am so excited to serve as the Pembroke PTA President for the 2026-2027 school year. My husband, Luis, and I have two fun, energetic kids, Demi (2nd grade) and Luka (Pre-K) who love being outdoors as much as we do! You can usually find us playing at a park, riding bikes, swimming, and enjoying the Baldwin Library. I am excited to continue supporting you and our amazing school. Please reach out to me if you have any thoughts or ideas on how we can continue to strengthen our Pride!

Brad MacDonald- Vice President

My name is Brad MacDonald, and I am honored to serve as your PTA Vice President for the 2026-2027 school year. My wife, Sandy, and I have two boys, Anderson (1st grade) and Jude (Pre-K), and as a family, we love traveling, swimming, and enjoying our wonderful neighborhood. I have been a teacher for 18 years and currently teach high school economics and train future educators. I am excited to bring that experience to the board and collaborate with our amazing community.

My name is Britt-Marie Fleury, and I’m delighted to serve as your PTA Treasurer for the upcoming school year. My husband Todd and I have two children at Pembroke: Ingrid (2nd grade) and William (4th grade). I have been involved with Pembroke as an active PTA member and founding chair of the Trunk or Treat event in October. At the district level, I continue to serve on the BPS Special Education PAC as an advocate for all our students who are different learners.

We love Pembroke school and our supportive, inclusive community. I look forward to getting to know more of you over the next year.

Hi, I’m Lindsey Peck and I’m excited to continue to serve as the PTA Secretary for the 2026/2027 school year. My husband, Kevin, and I have two daughters at Pembroke - Eleanor (5th grade) and Josephine (3rd grade). I have enjoyed being part of the Pembroke community as a PTA member, room parent, Noon Aide, and Paraprofessional, and look forward to continuing my involvement in the upcoming school year.

I was so happy to serve as the Pembroke PTA President for the 2025-26 school year and am grateful to continue on as Past President. My husband, Troy, and I have two daughters at Pembroke - Natalie (3rd Grade) and Lauren (2nd Grade). We can often be found out and about in the neighborhood - playing tennis, riding bikes, swimming, and enjoying everything that the community has to offer. I’m excited to continue to support our amazing school!

The Wait Until 8th pledge is now active in Pembroke's 1st, 2nd & 4th grades. Joining in any grade is an option for parents who want to delay smartphone and social media access with a cohort of other families. Learn more if interested at ww.waituntil8th.org

• Monday, August 31st - 1st Day of School - Half Day - Dismissal at 11:50 am

• Monday, August 31st - PTA Welcome Back Coffee - immediately after arrival

• Tuesday, September 1st - Half Day - Dismissal at 11:50 am

• Wednesday, September 2nd and Thursday, September 3rd - JK/Kindergarten Only - Half Day Dismissal 11:50 am

• Wednesday, September 2nd - K/1st Curriculum Night - 6:00 - 6:30 and 6:45 - 7:15

• Wednesday, September 9th - 2nd - 5th Curriculum Night -6:00 - 6:30 and 6:45 - 7:15

• Wednesday, September 9th - 5th Grade Camp Meeting 5:30 - 6:00

• Wednesday, September 16th - PTA Meeting - 7:00 PM - Pembroke Library

• Friday, September 18th - Welcome Back Picnic - 6:00 PM and New Family Welcome 5:30 PM